CAPE TOWN: The second and final Test of the two-match series between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled to begin on Friday at Newlands.
Following a narrow two-wicket defeat in the first Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion, Pakistan is expected to make one change to their playing XI for the upcoming match.
Left-arm fast bowler Mir Hamza is likely to replace right-arm pacer Aamer Jamal in the squad.
Jamal, hailing from Mianwali, made a valuable contribution in the first innings of the Centurion Test, claiming the wickets of South African captain Temba Bavuma and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.
However, he faced criticism for bowling only one over in the second innings, which led to reports suggesting that the team management might opt to bring in Hamza for the second Test.
Despite the pitch at Newlands being favorable for spinners, it is unlikely that Pakistan will include any spinner in their playing XI.
Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali, who impressed with 20 wickets at an average of 13.85 in two Tests against England in October 2024, is expected to miss out.
The team management will instead rely on all-rounder Agha Salman as the sole spinner. He has taken 16 wickets at an average of 58.75 in 18 Test matches.
It is pertinent to mention that South Africa became the first team to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final following their win against Pakistan in the first Test.
In the series opener, tailenders Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen formed a match-winning 51-run partnership, defying Pakistan’s comeback.
The duo recovered from a precarious 99/6 after Abbas’s six-wicket haul.
South Africa were at 27/3, with Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma at the crease, chasing a target of 148. They extended their partnership to 43 runs before Abbas dismissed Markram for 37 off 63 balls.
Abbas then dismissed Bavuma, the top scorer with 40 off 78 balls.
Naseem Shah followed by removing Kyle Verreynne for two runs.
Abbas struck again, dismissing David Bedingham (14) and debutant Corbin Bosch (0) on consecutive deliveries, reducing South Africa to 99/8.
Jansen and Rabada fought back, taking the score to 116/8. At lunch, Rabada was unbeaten on 10 and Jansen scored five.
Rabada remained unbeaten on 31 from 26 balls, followed by Jansen on 16, which led the Proteas to a win over Pakistan.
Abbas claimed six wickets, while Naseem Shah and Khurram Shahzad picked up one each.
Syed Yahya Hussaini
